Case for the packaging of a solid or semi-solid product

Abstract

A case for the packaging of a product in the form of a solid or semi-solid block includes: a bottom portion defining a receptacle for the solid block, structure or element penetrating into the solid block so as to immobilize the solid block inside the receptacle, a cap removably placed on one surface of the product so as to retain the block in the receptacle, and a lid removably fitted onto the bottom portion so as selectively to open/close the case. This case furthermore includes structure for coupling the lid and the cap so that opening the case by rotating the lid with respect to the bottom portion causes the cap to rotate through a given angle with respect to the product, thus inducing a shearing effect between the internal surface of the cap and the surface of the product.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A case for the packaging of a product in the form of a solid or semi-solid block, the case in combination with the product comprising: a bottom portion defining a receptacle for the product;   an element attached to the receptacle, the element penetrating into the product so as to immobilize the solid block inside the receptacle;   a cap removably mounted on one surface of the product so as to retain the solid block in the receptacle; and   a lid removably fitted onto the bottom portion so as to open or close the case;   wherein the lid and the cap are rotatably coupled so that a shearing effect is induced between an internal surface of the cap and the surface of the product when the lid and cap are rotated.   
     
     
       2. A case according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion includes a cylindrical portion having an external thread, the bottom portion having a hole, said hole passing through both the bottom portion and said element, and the bottom portion having a cylindrical edge that bears against the cap, the lid being threadedly engaged onto the cylindrical portion of the bottom portion, the cap includes at least one drive member, and the lid includes at least one complementary member, wherein a rotational movement of the lid with respect to the bottom portion when opening the case causes the at least one drive member and the at least one complementary member to be brought into engagement thereby forcing the cap to rotate through an angle. 
     
     
       3. A case according to claim 2, wherein the at least one drive member includes at least one notch located on a peripheral edge of the cap and the at least one complementary member includes at least one cog located on an internal surface of the lid, the at least one notch engageable with the at least one cog, wherein rotation of the lid with respect to the bottom portion causes the at least one notch to be brought into engagement with the at least one cog. 
     
     
       4. A case according to claim 3, wherein the at least one notch includes a plurality of notches, the number of notches differing from the number of cogs by at least one. 
     
     
       5. A case according to claim 4, wherein the notches are distributed uniformly around the peripheral edge of the cap, the number of notches being at least two, the number of notches being greater than the number of cogs, and the cogs are distributed uniformly around the internal surface of the lid. 
     
     
       6. A case according to claim 5, wherein the number of notches is at least six. 
     
     
       7. A case according to claim 5, wherein the number of notches is thirteen. 
     
     
       8. A case according to claim 2, wherein the product is liquefiable so that the product is placed into the receptacle of the case by pouring it through the hole, the liquefiable product solidifying in the receptacle after pouring. 
     
     
       9. A case according to claim 2, further comprising a plug, the plug fitted into the hole so as to close off the hole. 
     
     
       10. A case according to claim 1, wherein an angle of rotation of the cap relative to the product is between 10° and 180°. 
     
     
       11. A case according to claim 1, wherein an angle of rotation of the cap relative to the product is between 90° and 180°. 
     
     
       12. A case according to one claim 1, wherein the element comprises an annular sheet of open-cell foam. 
     
     
       13. A case according to claim 1, wherein the lid is transparent. 
     
     
       14. A case according to claim 1, wherein the cap is transparent. 
     
     
       15. A case according to claim 1, wherein the cap has the shape of a dome. 
     
     
       16. A case according to claim 1, wherein the cap is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
       17. A case according to claim 1, wherein the product is a blusher or an eyeshadow. 
     
     
       18. A case according to claim 1, wherein the product contains hydrated gypsum. 
     
     
       19. A case according to claim 1, wherein the product contains pigments.